Baseball Roughs up George Mason Twice, 13-2, 21-0

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson increased its winning streak to five games in sweeping George Mason 13-2 and 21-0 at Tiger Field Saturday afternoon. In the three game series, the Tigers scored in 20 of the 24 innings, including 14 of the 16 innings on Saturday. Clemson batters walked 29 times on the day, including seven by Kyle Frank, and 41 times in the three-game series.

In game one, Clemson scored in each of the first six innings and hit four home runs on its way to a 13-2 win.

Mike Paradis (2-0) picked up the win as he pitched 6.2 innings allowing no earned runs, five hits, and three walks while striking out eight batters. George Mason starter Kevin Kawecki (0-1) suffered the loss. Patriot pitchers walked 10 batters in the first three innings and walked 16 in all in game one, including the seven through nine hitters a total of 11 times.

Brian Ellis and Khalil Greene led off the first two innings, respectively with home runs. After Greene’s homer in the second, Kevin Kawecki walked the bases loaded with no outs and Ellis followed with a two-run double off the terrace in left center. Ellis was 2-for-3 with a double, homer, a sacrifice fly, and four RBIs.

Greene put Clemson (13-2) ahead 10-0 in the fourth inning with his second homer of the game, a three-run homer that just cleared the fence down the left field line. Greene, a freshman from Key West, FL, was 2-for-3 with two homers, four RBIs, and three runs scored.

Game two saw the Tigers hit five home runs and five doubles on their way to downing George Mason (5-6-1) 21-0. Derek Borgert had a career day, as the senior had a double, grand slam, and nine RBIs. It was the most RBIs by a Tiger since Jerry Brook’s 10 RBIs against UNC Charlotte in 1988.

Freshman righthander Steve Reba (1-1) earned the win in his first career start. The Fort Wayne, IN native pitched 5.0 innings, allowing just one hit, one walk, and no runs while striking out eight. Shawn Stiffler (0-2) suffered the loss.

Stanley’s bunt single in the first inning brought home Greene and Derek Borgert followed with a two-run double to right field. The Tigers (10-6) have scored in the first inning in nine of the last 10 games.

Borgert then highlighted the second inning with an opposite-field grand slam off the right field foul pole. Brian Holstad put the Tigers ahead 10-0 with another homer to left field. All nine Tiger starters had scored after two innings. Borgert, who was 4-for-5 in game two, entered the game hitting .190 in 21 at bats with no extra base hits and four RBIs.

Clemson will travel to East Carolina and Maryland over Spring Break. The Tigers’ next game will be Tuesday at 4:00 PM at East Carolina.